http://worldcat.org/entity/work/id/131130269

Teaching the Bill of Rights

There are several causes for concern about education in human rights. Conflicting values are playing an increasing role in the international cold war. There is a present danger that, in the anxiety to win the race of space and technology, the U.S. may neglect the struggle of values which is so crucial in winning the war for freedom. There is a rapidly changing relationship between the individual citizen and the government. The possibilities for collision of government activity and individual rights increase as the power of the government itself expands. Examples of individual and mob lawlessness as well as the dangers of biased or irresponsible jury members make clearer the need for every citizen to possess a basic sensitivity to human and civil rights. Secondary school social studies teachers have a major responsibility for instilling an appreciation of human rights in their students. Teachers need to demonstrate the essential flexibility of constitutional guarantees through a knowledge of historical court cases. The most useful materials for the teaching of civil rights are case studies, either reports of actual court cases or hypothetical studies, designed to present unsettled legal questions.

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